Bandit is also ready to fight the case if the prosecutors or plaintiffs decide to take it to the Supreme Court, Ramet said.

Meanwhile, Abhisit yesterday thanked the Appeal Court for upholding the Criminal Court’s decision to reject the case on Wednesday and for “giving him justice”.

Stressing that he had been using authority accordingly to his position at the time, the former PM said he would fight future lawsuits if any, provided they are filed on the recommendation of the NACC with the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

Jatuporn told the Nation that he had a two-hour-long chat with some four or five military officers regarding the new supreme patriarch as well as his general manner of expressing political opinions.

Insisting on adhering to his political views, Jatuporn said he had not been warned to watch his speech in the future. However, unlike his last summons, Jatuporn was made to sign a letter saying he had understood everything and that he was safe.

Prayut was speaking yesterday at Suvarnabhumi Airport after returning to Thailand.

“The US president gave us moral support and wished us success when he learned that we are moving forward on a democratic path. He did not pressure us – that we must do it now or do it swiftly or face punishment,” Prayut said.

The PM said only Thais tried to pressure the government to speed up the return to democracy.

“If we want to reform, we have to respect the rules. We have to follow steps to be democratic,” he said.

“I did not see that he despises me. Some people may feel sorry because they did not get to shake hands [with Obama]. He shook my hands firmly. He has etiquette.”

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai denied reports that the US pressured Thailand about a return to democracy. “The US president just briefly said in a press conference that he wished democracy returned to Thailand,” Don said. Meanwhile the Court of Appeals yesterday upheld the ruling of a lower court to acquit Prayut and four other members of the National Council for Peace and Order on charges of treason, staging a coup and “overthrowing” the Constitution.

The suit was filed by a group of 15 political activists led by Pansak Srithep.

The Court of Appeals acquitted the defendants based on the 2014 interim charter imposed by the junta clearing itself of any wrongdoing for any actions related to the coup.

The Criminal Court on May 29 last year acquitted Prayut and the four other NCPO members. The plaintiffs filed an appeal, claiming the Criminal Court illegally acquitted the defendants because it had not carried out a preliminary examination.

The plaintiffs accused the NCPO of violating the rule of law and democratic principles by giving themselves amnesty for staging the coup.

This proposed measure aims to avoid a repeat of political unrest, severe political conflict and a near-failed state that was experienced before the coup in May 22, 2014, the Cabinet said.

“During the transitional period – the turning point that deals with the life or death of a country – a temporary measure must be allowed where necessary in order to maintain peace and order,” read a letter from the Cabinet to the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC).

The Cabinet suggested that in the initial stage – shortly after its promulgation – the new constitution should not be fully enforced. It said this would ensure “stability during the transition”.

It added that in the next stage, all provisions in the new charter might be put in effect in a manner that is “more in line with the international principles on democracy”.

The Cabinet also said it was worried that political conflicts and unrest might resume in the wake of the election, and it “may be worse than before”.

“A state like that is very rare in a foreign country and it is too difficult for other democracies to understand,” the Cabinet said.

This was the last of the 16-point suggestion made by the Cabinet in the letter dated February 15 and addressed to CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan. The letter was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on behalf of the prime minister, who was overseas.

The Cabinet’s proposal, however, was yesterday interpreted by academics as a way for the junta to retain power after the election.

Independent scholar Sirote Klampaiboon said this proposal would make the new charter, the referendum and the election meaningless.

“This means the National Council for Peace and Order, in whatever form, will continue to have absolute power despite there being an elected government in office,” Sirote said.

He added that the proposal was “really bad”, even unacceptable. “No constitutions should have anything like this.”

Jade Donavanik, a member of the previous CDC and an adviser to the current panel, said yesterday that the Cabinet might be worried that the new government would not be able to deal with political unrest should such a situation re-emerge.

He said such concerns could be interpreted in three different ways at least.

First, the Cabinet wants a special body to deal with any possible crisis. Second, it wants “special power” for somebody other than an elected government, possibly allowing the military to rule in case of emergency. Third, it wants a mechanism to cope with any crisis and perhaps rule over the government during critical times.

“I don’t know how the military is assessing the situation. Perhaps it thinks something will happen or not happen at some point, but it just wants to ensure it still has the power to control the situation,” Jade said.

Meanwhile, CDC spokesman Norachit Singhaseni yesterday dismissed speculation that the drafters would focus their attention on proposals from the Cabinet and the National Legislative Assembly in revising their original draft.

“That is untrue. The CDC treats all suggestions equally, including those from the public and civic groups,” he said.

Expressing opinions or criticising government policies are not threats to national security, he added.

“I don’t think expressing opinions online will undermine national security. I don’t think criticising Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will undermine national security. It is as meaningless as criticising me,” he said, adding that the previous governments all had been widely mocked in social media.

“It would be better that people have access to a wide range of information. They should be allowed to decide if they can rely on it or not,” said Sombat, who had previously been arrested for anti-coup messages posted on Facebook. Officials deemed Sombat’s words were in violation of Article 116 of the Criminal Code on sedition.

He was one of the six speakers at a panel discussion, “Politics on Fibre Optics: Don’t Speak, Like and Share”, which was held at Thammasat University Tha Prachan. The other speakers were Arthit Suriyawongkul, a representative from the Thai Netizen Network, and four students from Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities who often post their opinions on politics online.

They voiced concern over the military-installed government’s plan to work with social-media platforms such as Line and Facebook to restrict certain content, saying such a move would infringe on citizens’ freedom of expression.

The ex-premier also said that the case against her was “totally bizarre”, as her scheme was aimed at helping the people. The problems were at the execution level, she said, and yet she was being prosecuted despite having been only a policy-maker.

Yingluck’s intention to stay and fight is unlike that of her brother, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was also overthrown in a coup in 2006. He was subsequently sentenced to two years in prison in a conflict-of-interest case and is living in exile, CNN said.

Yingluck, however, cannot leave the Kingdom, as she needs permission from the junta to travel overseas, CNN said.

Throughout the three-minute TV interview,Yingluck mostly insisted on her political intention and as previously expressed through Thai media, she called for more freedom of speech.

The ex-premier also recalled the scene after being toppled in a coup, how she dealt with it, and her experience during a “chat” at the invitation of the military.

“I was informed to stay calm, not to meet a [certain] group of people for a while, and not post it on Facebook,” she said.

Accompanied by her lawyer, Yingluck spoke cautiously and carefully during her first TV interview since the 2014 coup. CNN said, “She is certainly trying to raise her profile so as to not fade away from Thai political history.”